How Digital Event Tools Improve Student Engagement on Campus
Universities and colleges may have anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of students on campus. Such large student populations can make for challenging event marketing projects.
Luckily, today’s students embrace digital communication for everything from course information to campus organizations. Another notable benefit is event planning and marketing. College event planners now have tools to plan, market, and even measure event success.
Learn how these tools can enhance student engagement with event marketing.
Accessibility and Discoverability
While traditional flyers still have a place in college hallways and student concourses, digital platforms provide much-needed hubs and tools for event marketing.
Event planners can create a suite of tools with social media platforms, website-building sites, cloud-based graphic design tools, and more. If you’re hosting an event, you can also explore how GC Events can streamline your fundraising events with all-in-one solutions; these platforms centralize all critical event planning tasks, like registration and donor gifts, into one platform.
Event planners can use these tools to promote:
- College fundraisers
- Academic workshops
- Career fairs
- Social gatherings
- Club meetings
Social media can also personalize event recommendations; algorithms learn student preferences to suggest relevant events of interest. College Facebook pages help students find opportunities aligned with academic, social, and personal goals.
These tools are optimized for mobile phones, allowing students to learn about important events last minute on the way to class or after school.
Cloud-based calendars also allow event planners to add event tasks to team members’ schedules; hosts can also send digital invites through calendar tools, allowing attendees to RSVP and receive event alerts.
Streamline Participation
Digital tools have transformed the event registration process, simplifying sign-ups and event tracking.
Event planners can also integrate digital tools into event experiences or host virtual-only events. Interactive features include:
- Live Q&A sessions
- Event polls
- Chat functions
- Social media integrations
- Digital media viewing
Such features turn passive attendance into dynamic, immersive experiences for students.
Gamification is also becoming increasingly popular in event design. This strategy “gamifies” events by issuing points, badges, and leaderboard positions to attendees.
Social media photo booths with wireless internet access allow attendees to post photos directly to their Facebook or Instagram. This strategy is perfect in combination with an event hashtag; both methods improve social proof.
Optimize Communication and Feedback
Dedicated event pages with push notifications and email alerts instantly inform students of event updates and schedule changes to prevent confusion.
Digital platforms also streamline the feedback collection process. For example, planners can use templates to create surveys and polls to gather data; this information can help planners make improvements for the next event.
Informing event design with data-driven insights increases registration and engagement rates. Event marketers can also use integrated analysis features to measure success rates and identify trends for future events.
Importantly, college events should foster a sense of belonging.
Digital tools connect students with shared interests. They can showcase student achievements, boost morale, and promote college pride. Digital event tools also increase awareness of student resources like support services and academic advisement.
Start Planning Your Student Event!
With the help of digital event tools, universities and colleges can cultivate engaging events that improve student satisfaction, retention rates, and ultimately, student success. Create a more interconnected student body to foster a passion for learning, growth, and real-world success. Remember these tools for your upcoming event!